Curves measuring less than 10 degrees: should we treat them?

As suggested by the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), a scoliosis diagnosis is confirmed when a patient presents a Cobb angle measuring 10° or more and axial vertebral rotation.

Can the risk of scoliosis progression be predicted in the case of curves measuring less than 10°
There is, of course, always a chance that these curves will become more pronounced as the youngster grows, even, in some cases, to the point of requiring the use of a brace. But it is also true that most of them will remain stable over time without reaching the minimum criteria for a diagnosis of scoliosis.

In each number of our newsletter, we present the experiences on how scoliosis is treated worldwide through an interview with one of our Online Master course participants. They are fellow doctors, physiotherapists, and orthopaedic technicians coming from all over the world.

This month's interview, is with dr. Jean Theroux , Chiropractor from Canada.

"In Canada scoliosis is treated using PSS exercises (SEAS) when appropriate. I was able to develop an excellent professional relationship with orthopaedists, which allows me to co-manage patients when necessary..."

           Ready for SOSORT
There are just a few days and the SOSORT  International Conference finally, after two years from the start of the pandemic, is back in person in San Sebastian, Spain from the 4th to the 7th of May.
It will be the usual pre-course, scheduled for May 4, to kick off the event: three of our specialists will participate in the round table. In the following days, Isico will be present again with three presentations...

 

Sforzesco Online course:

Kick off in May!

A few more days are available to enrol in our first course dedicated to the Sforzesco brace. 

We will start with this new learning experience on May 18th and we are very proud and honoured for registrations coming from overseas countries. This Course is primarily addressed to CPOs engaged in constructing braces and physicians prescribing braces for patients affected by vertebral deformities.
The course is divided into three modules with recorded video lectures. A Live lecture closes each module and makes the point with real clinical cases. For more info have a look here!
Curious about the Sforzesco brace? Follow this link for a video to learn more!

 

SEAS: for the first time in Albania, in May we will be in Croatia and Egypt

The month of April sees two new destinations for our courses dedicated to the SEAS approach. After having been in Paris, France at the beginning of the month for a SEAS Level I course, for the first time, our physiotherapy director, Michele Romano moved his teaching to Tirana, Albania. 

Another level 1 course will see our teacher engaged in Croatia, in Zagreb, from 13 to 15 May and then, also during the same month, we will perform a Level 1 course for the first time in Cairo, Egypt.

 

From Nancy to New Orleans and Boston,

Isico is there

We will be present at various events during May: from 9 to 13 May, Dr Fabio Zaina, an Isico physiatrist, will participate in the annual conference of ISSLS (International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine), while Prof. Stefano Negrini, scientific director of Isico, will be one of the 50 physiatrists meeting in Nancy in France, from 13 to 14 May at the European Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (EARM),  presenting a report on Cochrane Rehabilitation. The aim of the Academy is to improve all areas of rehabilitation for the benefit of those who need it and academicians are invited on the basis of their distinguished contribution to the specialty, particularly its humanitarian aspects.

Subsequently, Prof Negrini will report on Cochrane Rehabilitation during a workshop at the American Academy of Physiatry, in New Orleans from 24 to 28 May.

Isico Pills

Isico offers on the YouTube Channel a video format designed for expert professionals, namely, doctors and therapists.

Watch the short video about Back Pain by Giulia Fregna, PT, available with English subtitles and share it with #isicopills on social media.

Physical activity in adults with scoliosis: what and how much?

Exercise helps relieve pain, improve functionality and improve quality of life.
A healthy back, which does not necessarily mean a straight back, is one that is capable of withstanding the stresses of everyday life.
When you have scoliosis, it is especially important to train the muscles that support the spine, so as to stabilise it. However, it is important that we distinguish clearly between sport and self-correction exercises, i.e. active movements designed to lead to better positioning of the spine in the three planes of space, which the patient performs independently.

These exercises, prescribed specifically for scoliosis, with the aim of stabilising the condition, serve as therapeutic purpose. On the other hand, there is no kind of general physical activity or sport that can be said to "treat" scoliosis.

Adults with scoliosis can and MUST do some form of physical activity, at least 2-3 times a week, choosing between the various disciplines according to their own inclinations and being careful to respect their own limits.

Those whose scoliosis causes them pain must make sure their chosen activity respects this limitation.

 

The winning study of the SOSORT Award 2020 has been published

Two years after winning the SOSORT AWARD, the study "Predicting final results of Brace Treatment of Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis: First Out-of-Brace are Better than In-Brace-radiographs" has finally been published in the European Spine Journal.

A total of 131 patients were included in the study, the researchers aimed to determine which of the two radiographs is the best predictor of the Cobb angle at the end of treatment (final radiograph) ...

Spinal mobility and muscle function in middle-aged patients treated for early onset idiopathic scoliosis: compared with untreated and treated adolescent onset patients

                  Karin Romberg, Aina Danielsson, Monika Fagevik Olsén, Gunilla Kjellby-Wendt 

Spine Deform. 2022 Mar 23.  PMID: 35320580DOI: 10.1007/s43390-022-00487-8

Different specialists, different prescriptions: how should we choose? 

Most parents of a child with scoliosis embark on a similar journey: once they have received the initial diagnosis, they start consulting other specialists, seeking second or third opinions that might provide them with the confirmation and reassurance they need, and/or simply answers to further questions and doubts that have cropped up in the meantime. 

Often, though, parents who do this find themselves left with more questions than answers...

Skiing, playing a musical instrument, dancing or even jumping in the air - is it possible when wearing a brace? Yes, it is; the hundreds of patients who participated during the past 10 years in our Concorsetto, the national ISICO competition dedicated to brace wearers, proved it.
The videos and images of these kids are the best encouragement for those who are preparing to follow a demanding therapy such as that for scoliosis, and who are living the fear of not being able to practice a sport or play an instrument.
For our monthly appointment on our Youtube channel find out how you can play tennis in a brace, like our young patient, Kira...

• May 4-7 | SOSORT 2022 International Congress | San Sebastian, Spain, May 4-7
• 11 May |  SRS Worldwide Course | Fortaleza, Brazil
• 17 May, 19:00 to 20:00 CET (UTC+1) | EUROSPINE Webinar Series Tuesday Spine | The Ideal Spine Unit